To me, impaired driving is when people drive with distractions or under the influence. Being impaired while driving can be both mental and physical. For example, drivers can be distracted while driving by their other passengers or things like their phone. However, they can also be physically impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol as well. Sometimes it is misunderstood, even by people who have completed drivers ed because they might only think that being impaired while driving means being under the influence of any type of drugs. Little do they know, that anything that creates a distraction while driving, is impairing the person in the driver's seat. Drunk driving or driving under the influence is unfortunately common today. A part of the reason is that teens do not want to get in trouble for drinking underage and trying to find a ride, so they just try to drive home, which is what causes people to die in drunk driving accidents, as well as kill and injure other innocent pedestrians. Texting and driving is also a very common distraction today. It is easy to be tempted by a notification buzzing on our cell phones, but when people try to respond they can often end up swerving into the other lanes, or even accidentally into oncoming traffic. I have heard a story about someone who is well known where I live, where impaired driving affected his life not once, but twice. The first time he was in his teen years, and he got into the car with someone who was under the influence and in the driver's seat. They ended up driving off of the road and crashing into a tree which caused him permanent damage. He had brain damage and had to be in an electrical wheelchair, because he had been paralyzed from the neck down. He also had an issue with pronouncing many words, and speaking full and clear sentences. The second time he was impacted by impaired driving was when he was trying to cross the street in his wheelchair. He had checked to make sure if the crosswalk was clear, which it was, and as he was crossing a drunk driver ran into him. He ended up being taken to the hospital and was in critical condition for weeks. He ended up being able to fight through and survive, but his life has been permanently altered, not once but twice and both were by a drunk driving accident. Hearing about these events happening, especially to someone who is well known in the area that I live in, it has truly been eye opening about the true dangers of impaired driving, Not only can it hurt or kill the driver, it can hurt or even kill surrounding people, but like the man in my story was severely injured two times in his life and he was not the one driving during either one of his incidents. It really helped me understand how important it is to be focused on the road ahead while driving, and keep all distractions to a minimum. This is why I always make sure to silence my phone while I am driving and do my best to stay safe every time I get into the car, even if I am not driving. The drivers education courses have helped me change my behaviors and attitudes towards impaired driving in many different ways. It was eye opening for me to be able to understand how severe the consequences can be for many different reasons. It helped me to understand that I need to be focused while in the driver's seat. It helped me to be able to understand that it is important to put all distractions away while I am driving, and to especially never drive while under the influence. The special thing about drivers ed programs is that what they teach is all extremely helpful in the real world. While I am driving, I try to remember the things they taught me in my drivers ed class, such as always using the turn signals to avoid causing other cars confusion while driving. But I especially know how important it is to not allow myself to become distracted while I am driving for the importance of my own safety and the safety of those around me. To prevent impaired driving. I always focus on silencing my phone and putting it in a spot where I can not see it so that I am not distracted by any types of notifications. My knowledge on this topic can allow me to always make the right decision of keeping myself and others safe while on the roads.